Pittsburgh Man Admits Robbing Bloomfield Post Office

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Pittsburgh resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of robbery of a U.S. Post Office, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Joseph R. Filbert, 50, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Dec. 14, 2011, Filbert robbed a U.S. Postal clerk at the Bloomfield Post Office of $569.00 in U.S. Currency, by flashing what appeared to be a gun and demanding money. Still photos from the Post Office surveillance camera, together with video from a surveillance camera at a nearby business, enabled Postal Inspectors to obtain positive identification of both the car Filbert was operating and of Filbert. Execution of a search warrant resulted in the recovery of the shoes Filbert is believed to have worn in the Post Office robbery.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2013. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Joseph R. Filbert.